Understanding Free Body Creation, Simulation, and Post-Processing in MotionView

Welcome to the Multibody Dynamics for Automotive Applications using MotionView and MotionSolve blog series! In this chapter, we will explore the fundamentals of free body creation, simulation, and plotting results using MotionView software and MotionSolve software. These concepts are crucial for multibody dynamics analysis, vehicle system modeling, and automotive engineering simulation.

Step 1: Basic Entities Required for Building a Model

In multibody dynamics using MotionView, a model consists of several fundamental entities:

• Bodies: Can be rigid or flexible.
• Constraints: Includes joints and motions.
• Forces: Includes actuators, connectors, springs, dampers, and contacts.
• Geometry and Special Entities: Includes markers and built-in outputs for measuring displacements, velocity, acceleration, and forces.
• Other Entities: Includes solver variables, state variables, sensors, and system dependencies.

Step 2: Understanding Different Types of Bodies in MotionView

In MotionView training courses, three types of bodies are used:

Rigid Body:

• Possesses both position and orientation.
• Deformation is considered negligible.
• Represented by its center of mass.
• A six-degree-of-freedom element.

Point Mass:

• A three-degree-of-freedom element.
• Used when the moment of inertia is negligible, but mass is significant.

Flexible Body:

• Used when component deformation affects system dynamics.
• Essential for stress analysis in multibody dynamics simulation.

Step 3: Adding Entities in MotionView

Entities can be added in three ways in MotionView for automotive engineers:

1. Model Browser Method:

Right-click on Model Browser > Add > Reference Entity > Point.

2. Folder Right-Click Method:

Right-click on an existing folder and select Add Point.

3. Toolbar Method:

Right-click on Client-Specific Toolbar and select Point.

Key Notes:

Ground Body, Global Origin, and Global Frame are created by default.

Right-clicking an icon adds an entity, while left-clicking selects an entity.

Step 4: Understanding Collectors in MotionView

A collector is a button that enables selection of an entity type, either graphically or from a selection dialog box. Key points about collectors in multibody simulation software:

• A panel can contain multiple collectors, but only one can be active at a time.
• An active collector is enclosed in a blue rectangle.
• Some collectors have a switch with a drop-down menu to change the entity type.

Step 5: Gravity and Units in MotionView

• Gravity and units are created by default.
• Accessible via Model Browser > Forms Folder.
• Supports English and Metric units.
• Gravity can be turned off if required.

Step 6: Running a Free Body Simulation and Post-Processing

A key component of multibody dynamics for automotive applications is running a simulation and analyzing results using automotive simulation software.

To simulate a free body:

• Create a Free Body in MotionView.
• Define Constraints and Initial Conditions.
• Run the Simulation.
• Post-Process Results in HyperGraph 2D.

Final Thoughts

This chapter covered free body creation, simulation, and post-processing in multibody dynamics using MotionView and MotionSolve. Mastering these concepts is essential for multibody dynamics training and certification, automotive dynamics analysis, and vehicle dynamics simulation.

Stay tuned for the next MotionView tutorial for beginners, where we will delve deeper into automotive multibody simulation and vehicle dynamics modeling!

This blog is part of our ongoing Multibody Dynamics blog series. If you missed the previous posts, check them out here.

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